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Guest: Regina Graham, MD (she/her)

Medical Director of Early Psychosis Programs,

Health Sciences Clinical Professor

UC Davis School of Medicine

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness ( 52.9 million people in 2020). While People of Color (POC) have rates of mental health disorders similar to Whites, these disorders are more likely to last longer and result in more significant disability for POC. Most mental illness goes untreated, especially in communities of color. Fifty-two percent of Whites with AMI received mental health services in 2020, compared to 37.1% of Blacks and 35% of Hispanics.

Dr. Graham is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, with expertise in intensive mental health settings -- including inpatient, residential, and emergency interventions -- working with vulnerable populations. She has a passion for prodromal, early and first-episode psychosis and its management utilizing specialized care models to optimize outcomes for patients, their families, and communities.

Definition of Minoritized Communities:

• Groups who have experienced systemic discrimination and marginalization due to factors like race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status
• Groups excluded from opportunities and power structures in our society

Questions:

• How does cultural background impact the experiences of schizophrenia for the individual and their loved ones?
• How could trauma impact members of minoritized communities with schizophrenia?
• How are members of minoritized communities with schizophrenia being served in mental health services, and what are the barriers to treatment?
• Specific story about how individuals from minoritized communities with schizophrenia hesitate in seeking treatment during a crisis?

Thanks for liking and sharing the podcast! 

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://randyekaye.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, He Came in With It chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for

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Randye Kaye
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

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• Letters…we get letters…well, actually emails, comments, and messages. In this episode we do our best to respond with perspective, information and resources.
• Please know that we are not doctors, cannot prescribe medication - nor do we know all the legalities and resources in each state or country (hello, international listeners!) - but, often, our guests do.

Her are some of the episodes we mention for your references:

108. Should our Loved One with SMI Live With Us?

99. What Will Happen When We’re Gone? Trusts, Pooled Trusts and More

83. What Do I Do Now?: THE Handbook for SZ Caregivers: guest, Nicole Drapeau Gillen

71. Help and Tips for Families in Mental Illness Crisis: Treatment Advocacy Center

56. Housing That Heals: Essential for Many with SMI

50 and 70. Help! I Don’t Understand SSI/SSDI - guest: Dani Page, JD

33. Fellowship Place, One Supportive Community Fostering Mental Health

18. Rethinking Clozapine: Should it be the First Resort to Treat Schizophrenia? - with Dr. Robert Laitman

12 and 13. Let’s Talk about the Law - Mental Illness and Legal Matters (Judge Lisa Wexler

6. Conservatorship for Schizophrenia: Who Needs it? Why? and How?

Thanks for liking and sharing the podcast! 

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://randyekaye.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

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Randye Kaye
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

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Actionable strategies for these family members and friends who give so much but whose needs and sacrifices are often unappreciated. Written by clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman and her mother, DeAnne Sherman, an advocate and educator, the book provides:

• Tools to cope with difficult emotions
• Strategies to empower loved ones, including how to navigate the mental health system
• Communication and limit-setting skills
• Approaches to supporting loved ones who have experienced trauma or have PTSD
• Ways to manage common challenges, such as alcohol or drug misuse, and when a loved one declines professional help
• Strategies to support children
• Skills to build personal resilience and strengthen relationships

Links:

I Am Not Alone book:

https://www.seedsofhopebooks.com/i-m-not-alone

Loving Someone with Mental Illness book:

https://www.seedsofhopebooks.com/loving-someone-with-a-mental-illness-or-history-of-trauma

Website for Michelle and DeAnne (has free resources):

https://www.seedsofhopebooks.com/

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://www.randyekaye.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

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Join our facebook page
Our websites:
Randye Kaye
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

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Guests:  Robert C. Smith, MD and  Vinod Srihari, MD, 

Every day, millions of Americans face untreated mental health challenges—and too often, their first point of contact is a medical doctor unequipped to help. Most physicians - and many others who teach and advise youth - aren’t trained to recognize or treat mental health conditions, yet they’re the ones patients turn to first. This gap in training has devastating consequences, contributing to the mental health crisis we see today.

Dr. Robert Smith, a seasoned physician and thought leader, is sounding the alarm: medical doctors need fundamental training in mental health care. His new book, Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? Why Our Mental Health System is Failing Us and What Should Be Done to Cure (Prometheus Books, March 4, 2025) addresses the poor state of mental health care in the US, why it occurred, what needs to be done, and how to accomplish this politically.

Our Second Guest, Vinod Srihari, MD, spearheads a new program in CT which has just been expanded to reach the whole state after a trial run in 10 towns around New Haven. STEP is a clinic staffed by mental health providers in different fields – psychology, psychiatry, nursing, and social work. This "interdisciplinary" team seeks to provide comprehensive care for individuals who are early in the course of a psychotic illness in order to prevent symptoms from becoming disabling.

We Find Out:

• Why so many mental health issues go untreated and misdiagnosed—and what it costs us as a society.
• The value of early detection and treatment in Mental illness to help with prevention and recovery
• How medical doctors can better address mental health needs with proper training. And tips on how patients should talk to doctors about mental health.
• The hidden consequences of the mind-body split in modern medicine. The importance of integrating mindfulness and exercise into "treatment."
• Practical solutions for integrating mental health care into the broader medical system.
• 
  

LINKS:

Bob’s website:

https://www.robertcsmithmd.com/

 Bob’s Book:

https://a.co/d/2yOHhlp

Mindmap:

https://mindmapct.org/

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://www.randyekaye.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, He Came in With It chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greili

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Randye Kaye
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

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Eric J Dias is no stranger to the struggles people with addiction and severe mental illness experience. He has lived with schizoaffective disorder since he was a teenager. Eric has been a tireless advocate for people with SMI and their families. 

He writes about the many issues and emotions associated with SMI (Severe Mental Illness) in his novel, I Got Sober For This.

In the story, he weaves the stories with issues that affect us all, especially when it comes to SMI - in our homes, the courts, the streets, AA meetings,  detention centers, and the criminal justice system.

He currently hosts a show for the National Shattering Silence Coalition’s YouTube Channel interviewing people with lived experience with mental illness, care givers, advocates and clinicians.

We ask Eric about his story, his research, stigma, the need for community, and the power of hope in recovery.

Links:

I Got Sober for This book: https://a.co/d/4PV7Vh8

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her books:  https://www.randyekaye.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/ 

Randye’s substack: 

https://randyekaye.substack.com/

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Randye Kaye
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

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Returning Guest: Brian Stettin. NYC City Hall’s senior advisor on severe mental illness.

In Episode 61, we interviewed Brian Stettin, senior advisor to the Mayor Eric Adams administration on severe mental illness.

Brian drafted the legislation that became Kendra's Law when he was an assistant attorney general in 1999, after a young journalist, Kendra Webdale, was shoved into an oncoming train by a young man from Queens with a long history of mental illness.

The  Adams administration's push was to have more severely mentally ill people brought to hospitals for psychiatric evaluation as compassionate intervention, and to change the state laws about the length of hospital stays.

This law is designed to apply to those who can't recognize their mental condition or take care of themselves, not just those who present an immediate threat to themselves or others.

Lately, with so many SMI and homelessness incidents in NYC making news (a homeless woman set on fire in the subway; a symptomatic mentally ill man’s death by chokehold; NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s support of getting help for those with SMI). we revisit this important issue. 

Almost two years later:

• How is the program going? 
• What are the successes and challenges? 
• What more can be done?

Links:

Randye’s blog posts about these issues:

https://randyekaye.substack.com/p/journalists-please-stop-saying-against?r=j36ce

https://randyekaye.substack.com/p/luigi-mangione-jordan-neely-where?r=j36ce

https://www.randyekaye.com/benbehindhisvoices/journalists-stop-saying-against-their-will-its-about-care-not-force

https://www.randyekaye.com/benbehindhisvoices/my-son-will-be-homeless-this-friday-heres-why-it-didnt-need-to-happen

https://www.randyekaye.com/benbehindhisvoices/luigi-mangione-jordan-neely-mental-illness-in-the-news-one-mothers-opinion

Articles About NYC’s Compassionate Intervention:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/25/nyregion/mentally-ill-homeless-nyc.html?unlocked_article_code=1.n04.XLWi.cts0Q8s7hfkd&smid=url-share

https://gothamist.com/news/adams-launches-new-overnight-homeless-outreach-program-pairing-police-clinicians-on-nyc-subways

https://www.nydail

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Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman

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GUEST: Darrell E. Herrmann

WANT THE TRANSCRIPT? CLICK HERE

Millions of Americans are affected by psychosis, a condition that includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

One man, Darrell Herrmann, is sharing his story in an effort to help others who may be diagnosed with similar conditions.

Herrmann, who holds a degree in physical science and served as a military officer, is diagnosed with schizophrenia and has lived with it for 40 years. 

Herrmann has written a book titled Straight Talk About Living with Severe Mental Illness. He hopes readers gain a better understanding of psychosis and how to adjust their lives to manage the condition.

We Ask:

• Your Story
• Your Views on Anosognosia
• Difference Between Hallucinations and Psychosis
• Thoughts About Anti-Psychiatry
• Your document on NSSC and your book
•  greatest frustrations with the family advocacy movement with regards to serious mental illness
• Re involuntary hospitalization; “A change in the delusion or a different hallucination can totally change the person’s patterns of action in moments. Remember to the person in psychosis the hallucinations and delusions are reality, and for example if he hears a voice that convinces him that someone is out to kill him, he may act in perceived self-defense and kill or harm that person. “
• “Currently the criterion for hospitalization is danger to self or others. This should become actively psychotic instead. ”

Darrell Herrmann - CURESZ Foundation (The guide to psychosis and psychotic illnesses  for NSSC)

NSSC_Guide Psych+Illnesses 

The YouTube video of Darrell's speech for NSSC on 6 June :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpR4Jv1o2Gk&t=684s

The article I published on LinkedIn titled "The Illusion Of Recovery Oriented Hospitals": Darrell Herrmann’s Post

A link to my book on Amazon (It can also be purchased through Barnes & Nobel)

Straight Talk About Living With A Severe Mental Illness: Herrmann, Darrell Ernest: 9781707189779: Amazon.com: Books

Mindy and her book:

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Guests: Angela and Michael Brisbin

(plus 3 Moms updates and we read some Fan mail!)

INTO THE LIGHT Meaningful Recovery From Psychosis, a 60 minute documentary discusses how to  achieve Meaningful Recovery from Serious Mental Illness with education, medication and advocacy.  

A message of hope and real help, the film’s topics include: barriers to treatment, the underutilized medication, clozapine, and the importance of a supportive community. 

There are over 25 interviews of patients, parents, leading medical professionals, healthcare professionals, advocates – from across the USA, including:(Bolded names have been guests on this podcast too!)

 Dr Xavier Amador, LEAP; 

Dr Lisa Dixon, CUIMC; 

Dr Ken Duckworth, NAMI; 

Miriam Feldman, SCZ: Three Moms in the Trenches; 

Dr Rob & Ann Mandel Laitman, TEAM DANIEL;

 Dr Jeffrey Lieberman; 

Dr Jonathan Meyer;

 Lynn Nanos,

 Michael Orth; 

Bill Rodgers, The Marathon Runner; 

Dr Fuller Torrey; 

Elyn Saks, 

Rachel Streiff; and 

Bethany Yeiser, CURESZ. 

Narrated by Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams. 

Sponsored by TEAM DANIEL Running for Recovery from Mental Illness, a 501c3 charity.

Angela Brisbin 

Angela is the Lead Administrator for Team Daniel and the Clozapine Community Facebook group. She is the Associate Producer for the documentary Into the Light: Meaningful Recovery from Psychosis. She is a full time nursing student pursuing a Master’s degree as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Her mental health advocacy includes serving as a board member for NAMI or Greater Kansas City, as well as being a NAMI-certified family support group facilitator and “Ending the Silence” presenter. Angela also serves as a mentor for the CURESZ Foundation. 

In 2016 Angela’s father Gary who had schizophrenia passed away and her son Michael was diagnosed. 

Michael Brisbin

Angela’s son Michael Brisbin has been in meaningful recovery from schizophrenia for six and a half years. He is a full time college student and works part time as a campus librarian. He’ll graduate in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology. He plans to continue his education and obtain a Master’s degree as a licensed clinical social worker and work in the mental health field.

Michael is on the Board of Directors for NAMI of Greater Kansas City, and has founded NAMI on Campus groups at his previous community colleges and his current university. He also facilitates a weekly NAMI young adult Zoom support group.

Links:

https://www.intothelightmeaningfulrecovery.com/ 

https://www.teamdanielrunningforrecovery.org/ 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.teamdanielrunningforrecover.org/?ref=share_group_link 

Mindy and her book:

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Mindy Greiling
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Welcome to this episode, where we explore a deeply personal and often complex topic: the choice to have relatives with severe mental illness live at home with family.

Joined by listener guests, we dive into the emotional, practical, and ethical aspects of this decision.

Is home the best place for healing and connection, or do the demands overwhelm family dynamics? How do caregivers balance compassion with self-care? And what role should professional support play? 

You’ll hear heartfelt stories, honest discussions of the challenges, and perspectives on what works—or doesn’t. Tune in for an insightful conversation about navigating this delicate choice.

Insights and Learnings from the chat:

• You have a right to feel SAFE in your own home
• Be clear on your boundaries and be prepared to follow through
• Each US state has different services and laws
• The decision is heartbreaking
• Learn all you can
• Ask for help and info
• Share this podcast with people you know need it
• It is always helpful to hear other stories
• Act while the loved one is in the hospital
•  Case manager does need to do their part - let them, partner with them
• Get it in writing. Have a written contract with your loved one which includes consequences for the main what ifs and each of you—parent, loved one, case manager keep a copy.

SZ 3 Moms episodes referenced:

#6: Conservatorship

#14: NAMI Family-to-Family

#18: Rethinking Clozapine

#27: I am Not sick, I Don’t Need Help (anosognosia)

#30: Clubhouse International

#36: Difficult Mothering (Judith R Smith)

#43: Family Support Services

#50: SSI/SSDI

#99: Pooled Trusts

#105: Housing

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://www.randyekaye.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

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Mindy Greiling
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Guests: 

Robert S Laitman, MD,

Mimi Liu, Doro Mind

At Doro Mind. the mission is to provide compassionate, accessible, and dynamic care and support for individuals suffering from psychosis and their caregivers.

Dr. Robert Laitman is a psychiatric internist dedicated to changing the treatment paradigm for psychosis. He is the author of “Meaningful Recovery from Schizophrenia & Serious Mental Illness with Clozapine” which outlines his families personal story supporting his son through schizophrenia and pioneering a novel evidence based approach to psychosis treatment with clozapine.

Mimi Liu is the former COO & CTO of Firefly Health, where she led operations and tech for delivering integrated primary care and behavioral health services. Mimi leads Doro Mind with the personal passion that comes from supporting her brother through his journey with psychosis.

Into the Light movie episode : #94

Links:

https://www.doromind.com/

https://www.teamdanielrunningforrecovery.org/

Dr. Laitman’s book:

https://a.co/d/iLrDwvC

Daniel Laitman on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/uBdJWFvP-uc?si=8ECR7DfhDGc3gdHx

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://www.randyekaye.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Want to know more?
Join our facebook page
Our websites:
Randye Kaye
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman